Non-profit school hosts and holds its own at World Robot Olympiad
Author: Christel House South Africa
The much-anticipated World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Western Cape South regional competition took place on 26 and 27 July 2024 at non-profit school, Christel House South Africa in Ottery.
Throughout the two-day event a record-breaking 330 students competed, including those from Christel House SA. The Christel House SA teams excelled, securing 1st and 3rd places in the Explorer Prime category and 2nd place in the Robo Mission Senior category. Despite competing against students with more resources and the ability to practice at home, Christel House SA students demonstrated remarkable skill and determination.
The World Robot Olympiad™ (WRO) is an event incorporating science, technology, education and robotics. It brings together young people from across 95 countries to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through challenging and educational robotics competitions. Teams can compete in any provincial competition to be eligible for the national final. All competing teams are ranked nationally, and from this ranking list, the top 10 to 15 teams are invited to attend and compete in the national event in Gauteng. Teams winning their category stand a chance to be invited to represent South Africa at the WRO international tournament in Turkey.
Raynen B. and Gideon M., two Grade 6 students from Christel House SA in Manenberg who took first place in their category, have ambitious career goals. Raynen dreams of becoming an architect, while Gideon aspires to be an engineer. Gideon shared his excitement, saying, “We are so excited about our win and the chance to compete in Gauteng. It’s our first time leaving Cape Town, so it’s going to be an amazing experience for us.”
The school started its robotics programme in 2017 when a former teacher with experience in the WRO loaned a robot for an initial trial. Since then, the programme has expanded significantly, and this year, the school entered 15 teams into the competition.
"At Christel House South Africa, we are dedicated to closing the digital divide for our students who navigate extreme poverty and social challenges. By providing access to technology and fostering digital inclusion, we aim to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, can reach their fullest potential and excel in today’s digital world. Our students' remarkable achievements in robotics reflect their resilience and determination. It is with immense pride that we see them embrace these opportunities, demonstrating that they can not only compete but thrive in spaces often reserved for the advantaged,” Mr Cedric Esterhuizen, Head of ICT at Christel House South Africa's High School and Chairperson of the World Robot Olympiad Western Cape South.
David Piazza, Managing Director, Systematic Equities at BlackRock was the keynote speaker. He made an inspirational speech about all the wonderful careers students could follow with the skills they've learnt through robotics. Christel House SA is donor-funded and counts on support from organisations like BlackRock and Dell Technologies to continue its work.
Christel House South Africa has recently been named in the Top 10 shortlists for the World’s Best School Prizes 2024. From coding, robotics, app design and e-gaming to basic and comprehensive computer skills, the school ensures that students develop a solid foundation in ICT that enhances their academic performance and prepares them for future careers. By equipping students in disadvantaged communities with the tools and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape, Christel House empowers upward economic mobility and inclusion, enabling graduates to pursue higher education and career opportunities and become active contributors to their communities and the global economy.